July 14, 2025 • 11 mins
We explore the profound meaning behind the quote "No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training; it is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable." This ancient wisdom challenges us to reconsider our relationship with physical wellness as more than optional—it's a fundamental responsibility we have to ourselves.
Are you truly exploring the beauty and strength that lies within you? Move beyond amateur status and embrace the incredible capabilities of your embodied self.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to the According to Wes podcast, the
podcast dedicated to exploringthe powerful connection between
mind, body and spirit.
And I'm not just talking aboutyour brick mold sessions.
I'm your host, wes, and todaywe're tackling a quote that's
both challenging and aninvitation.
(00:23):
That's both challenging and aninvitation.
No man has the right to be anamateur in the matter of
physical training.
It is a shame for a man to growold without seeing the beauty
and strength of which his bodyis capable.
This isn't just about hittingthe gym or chasing a certain
(00:45):
physique.
It dwells into a deeperunderstanding of our
responsibility to ourselves andthe potential that lies within
our physical form.
But you know, let's unpack thispowerful statement piece by
piece, powerful statement pieceby piece.
(01:07):
The opening line no man has theright to be an amateur in the
matter of physical training is astrong assertion.
The use of the word rightimplies a moral or ethical
obligation.
It suggests that neglecting ourphysical well-being isn't just
a personal choice or personalconsequences, but a fundamental
(01:29):
disservice to ourselves.
It implies that we have a dutyto explore and cultivate the
capabilities of our physicalbeing, not to remain as mere
beginners or dabblers in itspotential.
Think about what it means to bean amateur in any field.
(01:51):
It often implies a lack ofdedication, a superficial
engagement and a failure totruly master the fundamentals.
This quote argues that ourphysical selves deserve more
than amateur attention.
They deserve our constanteffort, our learning and our
(02:13):
commitment to understanding howthey function and how they can
thrive.
This isn't about becoming aprofessional athlete or
achieving some unattainableideal.
It's about taking ownership ofour physical health and actively
engaging in practices thatpromote strength, endurance,
(02:35):
flexibility and overallwell-being.
Emphasis on the flexibility forme Need to work on that, you
know.
Emphasis on the flexibility forme Need to work on that, you
know, can help you out a greatdeal.
If you know what I mean, it'sabout moving beyond passive
existence and becoming aninformed and active participant
(02:59):
in our own physical journey.
The second part of the quoteadds a layer of emotional weight
.
It's a shame for a man to growold without seeing the beauty
and strength of which his bodyis capable.
The word shame says it all.
It invokes a sense of missedopportunity, a regret of
(03:26):
potential unrealized.
It suggests that within each ofus lies a reservoir of physical
capability, a beauty andstrength waiting to be
discovered and cultivated andmolded To let life pass without
(03:46):
even glimpsing this potential is, according to the quote, a
genuine loss.
Consider the incredible machinethat is the human body.
It's capable of feats ofendurance, displays of power and
intricate movements that aretruly awe-inspiring, from the
(04:11):
simple act of walking to thecomplex coordination of a dance.
Our bodies are instruments ofincredible potential.
To ignore this potential, toallow it to atrophy through
neglect, is to miss out on afundamental aspect of the human
(04:31):
experience.
The beauty here isn't justabout aesthetics, although a
healthy and well-maintained bodycan certainly be visually
appealing I mean, who doesn'twant to look good with their
clothes off?
It's also about the beauty ofmovement, the grace of a strong
(04:57):
and flexible physique, the innerradiance that comes with
feeling physically capable andvibrant.
This may be baked into ourinner genetic makeup somehow.
I have to research that more.
The strength encompasses notjust brute force, but also
resilience, endurance and theability to navigate the physical
(05:19):
demands of life with ease andconfidence.
It's about having physicalcapacity to pursue our passions,
to care for ourselves and ourloved ones and to experience the
world fully.
This quote resonates acrossdifferent ages and abilities.
Across different ages andabilities.
(05:44):
It's not about comparingourselves to others or striving
for some external ideal.
It's about each individualexploring and maximizing their
own unique physical potential.
For one person, this might meanrunning a marathon.
For another, it might meanbeing able to walk without
(06:05):
assistance in their later years.
The key is the act ofengagement and the personal
journey of discovery.
Think about the feeling ofaccomplishment after pushing
your physical limits, even in asmall way, the satisfaction of
(06:27):
completing a challenging hike orlifting a weight you previously
couldn't, or simply going morerounds in the bedroom.
These experiences offerglimpses of the beauty and
strength our bodies are capableof.
But why is it a shame to missout on this?
(06:48):
Because our physical well-beingis linked to our mental and
emotional well-being.
When we neglect our bodies, weoften experience a ripple effect
in other areas of our lives.
Lack of physical activity cancontribute to fatigue, decreased
(07:09):
mental clarity, increasedstress and a higher risk of
various health issues.
Now I can speak from experienceon this when I do more than
just having a, when I do more inmy life and do more than just
having a passive existence.
When it comes to my physicalhealth, I'm my best mentally.
(07:33):
It's been proven time and timeagain.
Conversely, engaging regular,regular physical training, and
whatever form suits us can be,can have profound positive
(07:54):
impacts.
It can boost our mood andimprove our sleep, enhance our
cognitive function, increase ourenergy levels and build
resilience against both physicaland mental challenges.
By neglecting our physicalselves, we are potentially
limiting our overall quality oflife and our ability to
(08:15):
experience joy and fulfillment.
Who doesn't?
Want that and fulfillment.
Who doesn't want that?
So how do we avoid becoming anamateur in this crucial aspect
of our lives?
It starts with a consciousdecision to prioritize physical
activity, to educate ourselvesabout our bodies and their needs
(08:38):
.
It involves finding forms ofmovement that we enjoy from the
back, that we can sustain overthe long term.
This could be anything fromwalking, running, swimming,
cycling.
You guys get the idea, yourfavorite sexual position.
(09:00):
Some of us put in our best workwhen, uh, beating that thing up
from the back.
But it also means being mindfulof our nutrition, our sleep and
our overall lifestyle choices,as these all contribute to our
physical well-being.
It's about adopting a holisticapproach to caring for our
(09:22):
bodies, not just as vessels tocarry us through life, but as
powerful and capable instrumentsthat deserve our attention and
cultivation.
This quote isn't about vanity orchasing an unrealistic image.
It's about honoring the gift ofour physical form and
(09:46):
recognizing its inherentpotential.
It's about living a fullyembodied life, where we are
connected to our physicalsensations, aware of our
capabilities and actively engagein nurturing our strength and
vitality throughout our lives.
As we age, our physicalcapabilities may naturally
(10:12):
change, but the principleremains the same it's about
maximizing our potential atevery stage of life, adapting
our training to our changingneeds and continuing to explore
the beauty and strength that ourbodies are still capable of.
So I asked you today are you anamateur in the matter of
(10:35):
physical training?
Are you truly exploring thebeauty and strength that lies
within you?
This quote serves as a powerfulreminder that we are
responsible to ourselves toengage with our physical
potential.
Not just for the sake oflongevity, but for the sake of a
richer, more vibrant and morefully lived life, let's move
(11:01):
beyond amateur status andembrace the incredible
capabilities of our embodiedselves.
Thank you for joining me on theAccording to West podcast.
Until next time, may youdiscover and celebrate the
beauty and strength within you.
Welcome to the According to Wes podcast, the
podcast dedicated to exploringthe powerful connection between
mind, body and spirit.
And I'm not just talking aboutyour brick mold sessions.
I'm your host, wes, and todaywe're tackling a quote that's
both challenging and aninvitation.
(00:23):
That's both challenging and aninvitation.
No man has the right to be anamateur in the matter of
physical training.
It is a shame for a man to growold without seeing the beauty
and strength of which his bodyis capable.
This isn't just about hittingthe gym or chasing a certain
(00:45):
physique.
It dwells into a deeperunderstanding of our
responsibility to ourselves andthe potential that lies within
our physical form.
But you know, let's unpack thispowerful statement piece by
piece, powerful statement pieceby piece.
(01:07):
The opening line no man has theright to be an amateur in the
matter of physical training is astrong assertion.
The use of the word rightimplies a moral or ethical
obligation.
It suggests that neglecting ourphysical well-being isn't just
a personal choice or personalconsequences, but a fundamental
(01:29):
disservice to ourselves.
It implies that we have a dutyto explore and cultivate the
capabilities of our physicalbeing, not to remain as mere
beginners or dabblers in itspotential.
Think about what it means to bean amateur in any field.
(01:51):
It often implies a lack ofdedication, a superficial
engagement and a failure totruly master the fundamentals.
This quote argues that ourphysical selves deserve more
than amateur attention.
They deserve our constanteffort, our learning and our
(02:13):
commitment to understanding howthey function and how they can
thrive.
This isn't about becoming aprofessional athlete or
achieving some unattainableideal.
It's about taking ownership ofour physical health and actively
engaging in practices thatpromote strength, endurance,
(02:35):
flexibility and overallwell-being.
Emphasis on the flexibility forme Need to work on that, you
know.
Emphasis on the flexibility forme Need to work on that, you
know, can help you out a greatdeal.
If you know what I mean, it'sabout moving beyond passive
existence and becoming aninformed and active participant
(02:59):
in our own physical journey.
The second part of the quoteadds a layer of emotional weight
.
It's a shame for a man to growold without seeing the beauty
and strength of which his bodyis capable.
The word shame says it all.
It invokes a sense of missedopportunity, a regret of
(03:26):
potential unrealized.
It suggests that within each ofus lies a reservoir of physical
capability, a beauty andstrength waiting to be
discovered and cultivated andmolded To let life pass without
(03:46):
even glimpsing this potential is, according to the quote, a
genuine loss.
Consider the incredible machinethat is the human body.
It's capable of feats ofendurance, displays of power and
intricate movements that aretruly awe-inspiring, from the
(04:11):
simple act of walking to thecomplex coordination of a dance.
Our bodies are instruments ofincredible potential.
To ignore this potential, toallow it to atrophy through
neglect, is to miss out on afundamental aspect of the human
(04:31):
experience.
The beauty here isn't justabout aesthetics, although a
healthy and well-maintained bodycan certainly be visually
appealing I mean, who doesn'twant to look good with their
clothes off?
It's also about the beauty ofmovement, the grace of a strong
(04:57):
and flexible physique, the innerradiance that comes with
feeling physically capable andvibrant.
This may be baked into ourinner genetic makeup somehow.
I have to research that more.
The strength encompasses notjust brute force, but also
resilience, endurance and theability to navigate the physical
(05:19):
demands of life with ease andconfidence.
It's about having physicalcapacity to pursue our passions,
to care for ourselves and ourloved ones and to experience the
world fully.
This quote resonates acrossdifferent ages and abilities.
Across different ages andabilities.
(05:44):
It's not about comparingourselves to others or striving
for some external ideal.
It's about each individualexploring and maximizing their
own unique physical potential.
For one person, this might meanrunning a marathon.
For another, it might meanbeing able to walk without
(06:05):
assistance in their later years.
The key is the act ofengagement and the personal
journey of discovery.
Think about the feeling ofaccomplishment after pushing
your physical limits, even in asmall way, the satisfaction of
(06:27):
completing a challenging hike orlifting a weight you previously
couldn't, or simply going morerounds in the bedroom.
These experiences offerglimpses of the beauty and
strength our bodies are capableof.
But why is it a shame to missout on this?
(06:48):
Because our physical well-beingis linked to our mental and
emotional well-being.
When we neglect our bodies, weoften experience a ripple effect
in other areas of our lives.
Lack of physical activity cancontribute to fatigue, decreased
(07:09):
mental clarity, increasedstress and a higher risk of
various health issues.
Now I can speak from experienceon this when I do more than
just having a, when I do more inmy life and do more than just
having a passive existence.
When it comes to my physicalhealth, I'm my best mentally.
(07:33):
It's been proven time and timeagain.
Conversely, engaging regular,regular physical training, and
whatever form suits us can be,can have profound positive
(07:54):
impacts.
It can boost our mood andimprove our sleep, enhance our
cognitive function, increase ourenergy levels and build
resilience against both physicaland mental challenges.
By neglecting our physicalselves, we are potentially
limiting our overall quality oflife and our ability to
(08:15):
experience joy and fulfillment.
Who doesn't?
Want that and fulfillment.
Who doesn't want that?
So how do we avoid becoming anamateur in this crucial aspect
of our lives?
It starts with a consciousdecision to prioritize physical
activity, to educate ourselvesabout our bodies and their needs
(08:38):
.
It involves finding forms ofmovement that we enjoy from the
back, that we can sustain overthe long term.
This could be anything fromwalking, running, swimming,
cycling.
You guys get the idea, yourfavorite sexual position.
(09:00):
Some of us put in our best workwhen, uh, beating that thing up
from the back.
But it also means being mindfulof our nutrition, our sleep and
our overall lifestyle choices,as these all contribute to our
physical well-being.
It's about adopting a holisticapproach to caring for our
(09:22):
bodies, not just as vessels tocarry us through life, but as
powerful and capable instrumentsthat deserve our attention and
cultivation.
This quote isn't about vanity orchasing an unrealistic image.
It's about honoring the gift ofour physical form and
(09:46):
recognizing its inherentpotential.
It's about living a fullyembodied life, where we are
connected to our physicalsensations, aware of our
capabilities and actively engagein nurturing our strength and
vitality throughout our lives.
As we age, our physicalcapabilities may naturally
(10:12):
change, but the principleremains the same it's about
maximizing our potential atevery stage of life, adapting
our training to our changingneeds and continuing to explore
the beauty and strength that ourbodies are still capable of.
So I asked you today are you anamateur in the matter of
(10:35):
physical training?
Are you truly exploring thebeauty and strength that lies
within you?
This quote serves as a powerfulreminder that we are
responsible to ourselves toengage with our physical
potential.
Not just for the sake oflongevity, but for the sake of a
richer, more vibrant and morefully lived life, let's move
(11:01):
beyond amateur status andembrace the incredible
capabilities of our embodiedselves.
Thank you for joining me on theAccording to West podcast.
Until next time, may youdiscover and celebrate the
beauty and strength within you.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.